# Maple Prominent (*Ptilodon cucullina*) The Maple Prominent is a beautiful moth with soft, furry wings. It loves to flutter around trees, especially maple trees, where it can blend in and hide from predators. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Maple Prominent](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ptilodon_cucullina.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dumi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ptilodon_cucullina.jpg) ## Appearance The Maple Prominent is a medium-sized moth, typically brownish-grey, with wavy darker lines across its forewings. It has a distinctive raised tuft of scales on its back that helps it resemble a dried leaf, making it blend into its surroundings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Notodontidae - **Genus:** Ptilodon ## Interesting facts - Female Maple Prominent moths release a special scent called a pheromone to attract males from far away! - Its caterpillar stage has unusual humps and knobs, looking quite alien before it turns into a moth! - The adult moth doesn't eat solid food; it sips flower nectar using a long straw-like tongue. - They spend many cold months asleep as a pupa, hidden underground or in leaf litter, waiting for spring. ## Special abilities - **Leafy Disguise:** Maple Prominent has wing patterns and a body shape that helps them perfectly mimic dried leaves. - **Nocturnal Navigator:** Maple Prominent can fly and find flowers in the dark because of their excellent night vision. - **Chemical Shield:** Maple Prominent caterpillars can sometimes spray an acidic fluid because of specialized glands that help deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-270 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch maple leaves, while adult moths prefer to sip sugary nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat leaves of various trees, while adult moths feed only on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Maple leaves, Honeysuckle nectar, Willow leaves, Oak leaves, Ash leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Norway Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/norway-maple) (*Acer platanoides*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** Greater Mouse-eared Bat (*Myotis myotis*) — Adult moths are a food source. - **Eats:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Birds prey on the caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — Adults visit its flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch moths from a distance and don't touch them, as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Maple Prominent? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Maple Prominent's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Maple Prominent? 15-20 mm ### How long does Maple Prominent live? 180-270 days ### How fast can Maple Prominent fly? 10 km/h ### What does Maple Prominent eat? Caterpillars munch maple leaves, while adult moths prefer to sip sugary nectar from flowers. ### Where is Maple Prominent usually found? Forests ### How does Maple Prominent hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Maple Prominent: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/maple-prominent)